Diabetes medicines are used in combination with healthy eating and physical activity to help manage blood glucose levels (BGLs). Jump to resources Glucose-lowering medicines Glucose-lowering medicines are commonly prescribed for people with type 2 diabetes to help manage their blood glucose levels. The way a person’s body responds to medicines can change as the person gets older. Medicines can also work differently if the older person has other medical conditions, a poor appetite, or becomes less active. Older people may also be taking medication for other health conditions. These medications or the health condition itself can potentially impact their blood glucose levels. This means their diabetes health professional may need to make changes to the medicines they take, or the doses. Insulin Insulin is a hormone that allows glucose to move from the bloodstream into the body’s cells where it is used for energy. All people with type 1 diabetes require insulin, as their body cannot make it. Some people with type 2 diabetes may need insulin to help manage their BGLs. Insulin cannot be taken using tablets or capsules: it must be given with a needle, insulin pen device or insulin pump. Older people may administer their own insulin or may need support with administering it. Administering insulin is a specialised task, and you must be trained to do it. More information for aged care professionals For home care workers Always follow your service’s policy and procedures if you need to give an older person medication. Often, older people will administer their insulin with some support from family and carers. If you do help a client with insulin, follow your service’s policy and procedures. Always talk to your supervisor if your client or their family/carer report any problems with insulin administration. For residential aged care workers If you are trained to give medications: follow your service’s policy and procedures ensure you give the resident the correct medication at the correct times. If you notice side effects, or the resident tells you they are having side effects, report these to the registered nurse. If you are trained to administer insulin, follow your service’s policy and procedures. The resident may also administer their own insulin. Sometimes, nursing staff will help them with this. For residential aged care managers Only trained staff should administer medications to residents, and must ensure residents are receiving the correct dosage and timing of their medicines. You can audit your service’s diabetes management policies and practices using the NDSS Quality Review Tool. For registered nurses Only trained residential aged care staff should administer medications and must ensure residents receive the correct dosage and timing of their medicines. The resident may also administer their own insulin. Sometimes, nursing staff will help them with this. Featured resources Insulin administration Glucose-lowering medicines for type 2 diabetes Diabetes management in aged care handbook Diabetes management in aged care fast facts Find more resources
